Percussionist's residency takes kids around the world with instruments

Percussionist Jeff Holland, right, leads East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts third-graders in a concert/lecture for other students on Thursday at the conclusion of an arts residency throughout the week. Staff photo by Rob Novit.

After the entire third grade gave a percussion concert for their East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts classmates Thursday, Madison Hall was ecstatic.

"It was awesome getting up there and learning to speak so many different languages and play all the drums," she said.

Jeff Holland of Greenville, a multi-percussionist registered with the S.C. Arts Commission, spent a four-day residency at the school through a State Department of Education arts curricular grant.

"He was fabulous with the students," said music teacher Megan Jensen. "They hung on to his every word and loved having all the instruments in their hands. He kept them moving constantly and engaged and entertained. Many of the drums are ours, and we'll have plenty to follow up with."

In Holland's residencies, he shows kids how to play a variety of percussion instruments from all over the world and why they sound so different and special. He also teaches them how to say hello and other phrases in various languages.

"We take a musical journey around the world," Holland said. "We also explore the other cultures and learn about language, geography and history."

He always starts with Africa, as most of the instruments can be traced back to that continent. Holland spent two months last summer in China and Japan and brought back ideas that he and the students experimented with.

The children also learned about the waltz from Europe. In the classroom, they did a tribute to Native Americans and taught the kids an "elder dance" for grandparents.

The students in the audience also joined in. The intent is to involve them, giving the third-graders a chance to share what they have learned, according to Jensen. Several kindergarten students in the front row were keeping up with the performers on stage.

"What inspired me as a child was watching others perform at school," Holland said. "So when I do a residency, I try to give the whole school a little something of it."

Festivals are about making music of the moment, he said. In a four-day classroom opportunity, Holland said he can go further and make it more of a cross-curricular activity.

"The rhythms are contagious," said Jensen. "The children started to write their own rhythms today, combining them by using the techniques he showed them."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.